Mass National Guard will host exercises around state Nov. 5-9

Friday

Nov 2, 2018 at 1:39 PM

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The Massachusetts National Guard will host Vigilant Guard 19-1, a full-scale civil-military exercise, with 46 federal, state, local and civilian organizations, Nov. 5-9, , in various locations throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including in the Foxborough area.

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The Massachusetts National Guard will host Vigilant Guard 19-1, a full-scale civil-military exercise, with 46 federal, state, local and civilian organizations, Nov. 5-9, , in various locations throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including in the Foxborough area.

Vigilant Guard is an exercise sponsored by US Northern Command in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau. It provides an opportunity for local, state, and federal agencies, National Guard units, and private sector partners to improve emergency response plans, inter-agency relationships, and interoperability.

“Together, we provide the capabilities to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred,” said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “Vigilant Guard is a rare training opportunity that greatly supports everyone – both participants and the citizens we serve.”

During the exercise, residents can anticipate seeing an increased presence of military and civilian emergency first responders, military vehicles, use of sirens, and regular flights of military helicopters throughout the Commonwealth.